If you’re in the market for a well-travelled vintage Kombi, Michelle Tupy has just put hers up for sale. Tupy, from Melbourne, bought the van two years ago in Cusco, Peru, where she was managing a hostel with her husband Matt and primary school-aged children Emilia and Matthew.

After 12 months at the hostel, the self-confessed “free spirits” were ready to uproot their Peruvian lives, and decided on a leisurely drive through 12 countries up to Canada. The VW was deemed the perfect vehicle for their expedition.

Our first set of travelers has demonstrated fantastic resiliency as mechanical issues have thrown them multiple curve balls. Through it all they are still loving their adventures and are quick to encourage others to do embark on their own.

We were fortunate to spend time with them in Arequipa, Peru, where we quickly bonded and we shared some fun adventures. I know that you will find their story interesting too.

Interested in Peru family travel? Listen up. To say Matt and Michelle Tupy love travel and adventure would be quite an understatement.

The couple met in China back in 2004, and have basically been on the move ever since. The Tupy family now consists of four members, and their latest trip will be an amazing accomplishment once it’s completed: driving overland from South America all the way to Niagara Falls, Canada in Volkswagen camper van from the 1980s.

I ask them about their origins as a traveling family, and how they make a living. Listen in as we discuss education, Youtube celebrities, the search for a good mechanic, and the joys of Peru family travel.

​Coming to Peru was always on our wishlist and in 2012 we made a plan that would see our family head to Peru for a period of 3 months in 2013.

Our goal was simple, we would allow ourselves to be open to any opportunity which came our way to benefit our family on a cultural and lifestyle level, and after 2 months of living in Cusco, we decided to cancel our return ticket and extend our stay.

As a content writer and e-book publisher, my career was flexible and my husband, already an experienced teacher of English was only too happy to pick up a few classes here and there. We immersed ourselves in the culture, enrolling our children into a local Spanish speaking school and connected with others in various groups that interested us.

Michelle Tupy from www.andoffwewent.com recently took the time to share her families amazing travel story with us. If you’ve ever just felt the urge to get up and go and leave everything behind then you will love Michelle’s story.

What were you doing before you embarked on your journey from South America to Canada in a VW Kombi? What was the reason for deciding to leave this perceived safety and take the family vagabonding? How long have you been on the road and do you know when you will be back home?

The world-wide community of travelers is constantly growing. Solo, family, couple, luxury, budget – whatever you fancy, it’s out there. In search of those who desire to travel and learn from each experience, I’ve connected with many travelers making their way in the world. The Tupy’s and I have some common connections. They are an international couple who met abroad in a third location. One of them is a teacher. They learn as they go using various means necessary and staying in varied accommodations. They search for enriching experiences that are both perspective changing and provide growth. They’re not sure where they’ll settle and want the opportunity to choose whatever spot in the world suits them best for that time. They’re on a journey. Here they share a bit of the insight they’ve gained along the way.

I would like to introduce you to Michelle Tupy and her family. They are living in Peru, but have traveled all over in their Volkswagen Kombi. First, I have to say that I will never complain about my small sink, lack of hot water and non-existent dishwasher again.

See that picture with the propane tank? Well, that is Michelle’s kitchen. I have always said this life is not easy, but it is worth it. This lady is making some big sacrifices to live their dream. I am inspired Michelle. One of the first things I noticed about Michelle was that she goes through life with a worry free calmness that we could all learn so much from.

Michelle Tupy is a ghostwriter, focusing on the business, lifestyle and travel genres and works to support the nomadic lifestyle of her family of 4. She is currently working on a book about her family’s road trip from Cusco, Peru to Niagara Falls, Canada entitled “And Off We Went”.

1. Why do you travel as a family?

My husband (Matt) and I were both travelling independently before we had kids (Emilia 10 and Matthew 5) – in fact we met in China ourselves, so it made sense to continue travelling once the kids came along. It wasn’t an intentional decision at first – it just happened that way.

Former executive secretary Michelle Tupy, 42, is proof that a young family does not have to spell the end of overseas adventures.Tupy runs a hostel with husband Matt, 57, and two children, Matthew, 4, and Emilia, 9, in the Peruvian city of Cusco.

Before moving to South America almost a year ago, the family lived in Melbourne’s inner west, and Tupy says some of her former work colleagues couldn’t understand why she was trading a reliable pay cheque for life in Peru.

This week’s Postcard comes from one of my favourite cities in South America, Cusco! MichelleTupy from the blog And Off We Wentis travelling with her husband, Matt and two children, Emilia (9) and Matthew (4). Michelle is a content writer for small businesses and is planning to visit Chile later this year.

This courageous family have recently purchased a 1982 VW Kombi and are looking to drive it all the way from Cusco, Peru to Niagara Falls, Canada so watch this space – and did I mention she is even planning on writing a book about their travels?

Michelle Tupy is a content and ghost writer focusing on the business, lifestyle and travel genres. She quite happily spends most of her time behind the scenes writing blog posts, Facebook commentary, articles and e-books on behalf of busy managers. Stories that are full of adventure and ideas that build dreams are the kind that Michelle loves to write about.Michelle is currently working on a couple of long term projects, a love story anthology entitled “Love Alters” and a book about an impending road trip from Cusco, Peru to Niagara Falls, Canada entitled “And Off We Went”.

Whenever my husband and I stay at a B&B on vacation, it’s not uncommon for my thoughts to drift into the fantasy of becoming innkeepers. A lot of this, I think, stems from my enjoyment of the quirky sitcom characters on Newhart (1982-1990) and the esprit de corps of White Christmas (1954) in which guests not only break into spontaneous song – and know all of the lyrics – but can harmonize nicely as well.

Interestingly, both of these inns were set in Vermont and clearly a world away from Casa Emilia, the Peruvian B&B which features owner Michelle Tupy in this week’s Biz Buzz spotlight.